Building

KB Home Strikes Agreement on Troubled Fla. Condos

The builder has agreed to have a third party repair faulty balconies in the plagued project.

KB Home has reached an agreement with the homeowners association of a troubled condominium complex south of Tampa, Fla., to allow a third-party contractor to repair 32 balconies, at KB’s expense, that failed during recent rain storms and have been ruled unsafe by local building inspectors.

“As a national home builder that has been in business for more than 55 years and built more than half a million homes, KB Home stands behind its product and is committed to the repair of the homes in the Willowbrook community,” the company said in a statement. “We are pleased to have a signed agreement in place with the Willowbrook Condo Association, which authorizes a third-party contractor to make the necessary repairs at the expense of KB Home. We look forward to proceeding immediately for the benefit of the residents of Willowbrook.”

The association, rather than KB, will select contractors to make the repairs.

But it’s not likely that all the complaints about the Bradenton, Fla., complex built in Lakewood Ranch are over. While the sinking floors and loose guardrails on the balconies were flagged by the Manatee County building inspectors recently, residents have told a number of media outlets that the condominiums, which were built at the height of the building boom, have been plagued with problems for years related to water intrusion and resultant soft wood and mold. More than 80 homeowners have asked to have their units bought back by KB, the Bradenton Herald newspaper reported. KB has declined.

A vocal group of residents has joined forces with other groups who have complaints with the builder to protest publicly and write letters to elected officials.

Residents told the Herald that they were unhappy about the homeowners association’s agreement with KB, citing that the board did not consult with the homeowners before the deal was made.

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